[lavplist] Notes from LAVP meeting of July 9, 2007

Tue Jul 10 12:14:02 PDT 2007

Notes from Los Altos Voices for Peace meeting of July 9, 2007

Darwin Poulos was the facilitator.  Donna Poulos will facilitate in
August.

Darwin read inspirational words of Gandhi.

Reports:  Treasurer:  $1400 is held for the Larissa Keet Peace
Scholarships.  $453 is the balance for unrestricted use.  Upcoming
expenses include the Community Picnic and the yearly contribution to the
church for use of the meeting room.  Katrina will check about earning
more interest on the $1400.

Community Picnic:  Sunday, September 9 from 11- 3PM.  Volunteers are
needed!  Katrina is looking for new ideas, though the "Handprints for
Peace" can be made again.

Los Altos Fall Festival:  Katrina is checking if LAVP could share a
booth with the League of Women Voters, each group taking one day.

Farmer's Market:  Samples of the literature that has been used were
passed around.  One flyer will be modified to remove partisan
references.  Ending the Iraqi War is the current focus.  Leslie
suggested having postcards with postage attached and addressed to our
Senators' and Congresswoman's local offices.  We will urge people to
write messages about ending the war, on the spot if possible.  People
need to sign their names & addresses.  Leslie will print the address
labels.  The "comment board" will be available.  LAVP will try to have a
presence at the market from about 6 - 8 PM.  Join us!

Costs of War:  Ray explained that even though the costs of this war are
horrendous, he and others present, felt that the monetary costs are only
one facet of this tragic war.  Any letters to the editor or requests to
our City Council to help end this war will undoubtedly use the costs as
one argument.

Challenge Team:  Barbara Kyser attended the breakfast and again had
nothing but praise for this group that is working to reduce violence,
especially youth-related, and promote peace in our communities.  Judge
R. Loftus spoke about the huge number of youth in the justice system,
including many foster children and at-risk children.  He also pointed
out that more than half of the people in jail cannot read or write,
except for their names and addresses.  The Challenge Team works to
improve this situation.  It was suggested that Barbara bring some LAVP
flyers describing our organization.  The breakfasts will continue in the
fall.

Cindy Sheehan:  Since she has returned as an activist, the need to tell
her that we miss her tireless work to end the war, is no longer
necessary.

LAVP website:  The person who has done a great job showing us drafts of
what is possible is away.  When he returns, he will meet with Ray and
hopefully the improved site will be available soon.  Ray requests
suggestions for what type of content we want.  Having a strong local
focus is important.

Larissa Keet Scholarship winner:  Jonathan, the winner, plans to speak
to our group at the next meeting.  He needs to take time off of work to
do so.  Barbara O said he seems to be a fine young man.  Apparently he
was not told much about our group and the peace connection.  In spite of
this she said the scholarship is a positive endeavor for LAVP.  The
group wholeheartedly agrees.  LAVP will clarify what information is
given to the applicants and what requirements LAVP can make of the
applicants.

New Topics:  

Rotary Club's "world peace" theme:  All were requested to contact Rotary
Club friends to learn more about what they are doing to advance this
theme and how LAVP could possibly join in their efforts.

Cities for Progress:  Ray received information about this group that has
helped others successfully present resolutions to City Councils opposing
this war.  He will follow-up to learn how their experiences could guide
our interests in approaching our Los Altos City Council to pass a
resolution asking our federal representatives to end this war.  For more
information, go to:   <http://www.citiesforprogress.org/>
www.citiesforprogress.org  and click on "Resolution Toolkits."

Karen Meredith and Iraq Moratorium:  Karen, whose only son was killed in
Iraq, called Barbara O to ask her to tell us about the Iraq Moratorium.
It is a group that is urging mass action to end this war.  Actions
include pressuring politicians, vigils and more.  It will officially
begin on September 21.  For information, go to:
<http://www.iraqmoratorium.org/> www.Iraqmoratorium.org.  Mountain View
Voices for Peace is a sponsor.

Notes from Donna Poulos.

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